1. On August 22, First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam hosted a dinner for President Wu Hailong of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) and the other members of the Chinese delegation to the 16th Republic of Korea-China Leaders Forum in the ROK. Over the dinner, the two sides discussed matters of mutual concern, including the ROK-China relations and issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, other regions of the world and the global community.

2. Vice Minister Lim, bringing attention to the development of the ROK-China relations to a high level in various fields over the past three and a half years, commended the CPIFA and the private sectors of the two countries for their great contributions in the course; and asked the CPIFA to play a constructive role under the leadership of President Wu in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

° The Vice Minister stressed that although the two countries could face various challenges in the course of developing their relations, any particular issue should not affect the efforts to advance their relationship. On that note, he voiced hope that the two countries will see their ties advance in a continuous and unwavering manner.

3. President Wu, extending appreciation to Vice Minister Lim for the invitation to the dinner, noted that continued advances in the ROK-China relations will be conducive to peace and development of Northeast Asia, adding that continued efforts, including active exchanges and cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries, will be made to that end.

4. The dinner is seen to have served as an opportunity to help civilian experts of China better understand the ROK government’s policy regarding its relations with China and the Korean Peninsula issues, and to step up communication on the way forward for the ROK-China ties with a relevant private organization of China.


* unofficial translation